Stars & Stripes

Life continually amazes me. I have been sitting back in awe, and just thinking how such a bad time happened at THE best time. I am not sure if there really could have been a "best" time, but if there was one June 27th would have been it. My family had been planning on coming down for the fourth of July for a long time. It could have not been more helpful or more needed. Just having my sisters there really helped me heal, and realize how blessed I truly am. The fourth of July is one of my favorite Holidays, and this year was by far one of the best. My sisters and I got to go shopping, and the boys got to go shooting. We took the kids to the splash pad. Ate yummy food, and best of all ended the night with a boom...FIREWORKS!! The show this year was out of this world. For me to say that is HUGE. I have a preference to Coronado Island's fireworks, but these were right up there. There were a total of 3 fireworks around us. We got there kinda late, and we were nervous we may not find a spot. Little did we know, we found THE best spot. Right in front of the launch pad haha. We put our blankets down, and could not believe we were so close. Not only close, we would not have to worry about tons of crowds while leaving. The kids had a blast. Sydney, and Kailey are really beginning a bond. It is so fun to watch them play. Of course the girld are girls, and have there moments, but at the end of the day they are buds! Sadie LOVED the fireworks, and I could not get enough of her face throughout the show. She was trying so hard to keep her eyes open, but with how close we were they were pretty loud so she kept blinking. She had the biggest smile on her face, and kept clapping. Sydney on the other hand was TERRIFIED of them. Which shocked me, because last year she was just like Sadie, I guess it comes with the age. William came prepared, and brought shooting headphones. That way the fireworks would not be so loud. He even told Kailey she could wear them, but as soon as the show started he decided he wanted them back!!! Kailey was as scared as Sydney, but I think she actually fell asleep. It was so much fun watching all the shows around us. It really made me proud to be an American! Having my sister's over was awesome. We all just pitched in, and got things done. I hope one 4th of July all of my family will get to be together.
 
      

Kailey & Sydney Reading,and eating cookies

The Boys were busy shooting, so the bbq was left to us!!

Kelly, and Hyrum trying to figure it out

Katherine saved the day!!

Best cheeseburgers EVER, isn't she gorgeous!??

Sadie has a plan.....

Getting closer......

Got it......

Sadie loves to pull hair!!

Kailey is on to Sadie's hair pulling plan!!

Sadie's attempt to take Williams headphones

William caught on pretty quick, Sadie still acted like she did nothing.

 

William is sweet, and loves her anyway!

The Biggest Loser

 The title of this post may be "The Biggest Loser", but we feel like The biggest winners. Jeff heard of a job opening, at The Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge. . We heard about this during seminary, and decided to follow through with an application. We wanted to keep our options open. At this point Jeff and I were unsure about seminary. Although he was enjoying the time to study the gospel, and teach. We just felt something was not right. Well the time came where Jeff was to be observed. Before this day, Jeff loved putting together lessons. Jeff is amazing at a lot of thing's, and teaching is one of these thing's. So the lesson's for the first few days came easy, and were accepted well by the students. The day came he was to be observed. For some reason he was unable to get the lesson to flow. He stayed up all night, and prepared as much as he could the day of. He went to teach the lesson,  just like preparing, he could not get it going. Jeff felt discouraged, and confused as to why this was happening. At the end of the lesson, Jeff talked to the Brother who observed. Jeff knew at this point we did not get this job. Although we were discouraged, we felt this was right. Shortly after Jeff got a call, from The Biggest Loser. They wanted to interview Jeff. After a few interviews Jeff got the job. We are so grateful for this opportunity. I am so proud of Jeff, and the hard worker he is. He is an amazing provider, Father, and husband. Jeff had the chance to do a week at the Fitness Ridge. He had a great time, and learned so much.
                  

Bread

 So one day I was feeling adventurous, and decided to attempt bread. I was so nervous. Thankfully it turned out great! I had just finished up a batch of strawberry jam. It worked out perfectly. The girls loved it, and Jeff was impressed. I thought I should document this, because who knows when it will happen again!

                                                 Tasting the bread..............

                                           She likes it!

                                          Giving it a try......

                                                   I think that is a yes

                                                 Sadie likes to dig in the trash.......